Corwith preapplication grant OK'd for $981,500

March 02, 2005|By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer

OTSEGO COUNTY - A preapplication for a $981,500 grant for a Corwith Township road project has won approval.

Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland, received word of the preapplication approval for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to finance a crush and shape repaving project on a 4.24-mile stretch of Old 27 between Whitmarsh and Thumb Lake Roads.

"Once the preapplication is approved a formal application must be submitted," explained Otsego County Road Commission Director Mike Roper late Tuesday. "It does not mean the grant is guaranteed, but it is an encouraging sign."

The project represents a partnership between federal, state, village and township governments working together and pooling funds to complete the project. If approved, the $1.2-million price tag will be shared by the CDBG grant, with the remainder of the funds coming from the Village of Vanderbilt ($20,000), Corwith Township ($123,000) and the Otsego County Road Commission ($100,000).

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"The CDBG funds are for public works projects in communities where 51 percent of the population has either moderate to low income," stated Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe, confirming Corwith Township, the Village of Vanderbilt and Gaylord all qualify for this type of grant.

Final approval for the grant may come as soon as April at the next Strategic Fund Board meeting, according to Craig Ryan, spokesman for Stamas.